[pa.thet.ic] adj [MF or LL; MF pathetique, fr. LL patheticus, fr. Gk pathetikos capable of feeling, pathetic, fr. paschein (aor. pathein) to experience, suffer--more at pathos] (1598) 1: having a capacity to move one to either compassionate or contemptuous pity
2: marked by sorrow or melancholy: sad syn see moving -- pa.thet.i.cal adj -- pa.thet.i.cal.ly adv